Rock band Oasis have forced the BBC to take down a World Cup tribute video after bosses failed to obtain permissions for Wonderwall.
Legal representatives for Liam and Noel Gallagher demanded the immediate removal of the promotional clip from social media platforms. The broadcaster had not secured the necessary licensing rights to share the hit song online.
The video was created by BBC Sport in an attempt to capitalise on the popularity of Wonderwall, which became an anthem for England during the international football tournament. The production team brought together a line-up of high-profile television personalities and sports stars to sing and speak the lyrics.
BBC Sport boss Alex Kay-Jelski attempted to negotiate with Oasis representatives to keep the video online. However, his efforts failed to save the project after the band's legal team insisted on its removal.
Celebrity tribute pulled from social media
The clip featured several prominent British figures, beginning with former England footballer and television pundit Micah Richards singing the opening lines. Presenters Maya Jama, Claudia Winkleman, and Sara Cox also participated in the tribute video.
Other stars who filmed segments included comedian Michael McIntyre, tennis player Emma Radacanu, actor Ross Kemp, and comedian Lee Mack. BBC executives hoped the star-studded collection of appearances would make the promotional video go viral across social channels.
Social media users who viewed the video before its removal gave it a hostile reception. Viewers described the footage as "excruciating" and likened the celebrity compilation to a "car crash" online.
A source told The Sun: "The BBC dropped an enormous ball with the Oasis video as it caused a riot." The source added that BBC Sport spent significant time and money on the project before it was shut down.
"BBC Sport saw all the traction Wonderwall was getting and decided to spend a lot of time, and a fair bit of cash, getting all these stars to sing or speak along," the source said. "Their idea was it would go viral but instead Oasis's legal team shot it down. Apparently the BBC didn't seek the correct permissions to use the song on social media so they didn't have a leg to stand on."
Tournament anthem and documentary release
Wonderwall emerged as a defining soundtrack of England's tournament run. National team players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham repeatedly led stadium crowds in singing the 1995 track following victories on the pitch.
The BBC declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail regarding the video's removal. Representatives for Oasis have also been contacted for comment.
The dispute over the video comes shortly after Oasis released the official trailer for their upcoming Disney documentary film, titled Oasis: Don't Look Back In Anger. The film is scheduled for release in cinemas worldwide on September 11, with advance tickets available through Fandango.
Directed by Steven Knight, the creator of the drama series Peaky Blinders, the documentary chronicles the band's reunion tour, Oasis Live '25. The film will also stream later this year on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States.
The trailer offers backstage, rehearsal, and onstage access to the sold-out world tour. It includes the first joint interview given by Liam and Noel Gallagher in more than 20 years, exploring the emotional impact of their comeback.
In the trailer, Noel Gallagher reflects candidly on the reunion, admitting: "I just don't see myself on stage with Liam." He also addresses his past reservations, asking: "I don't really want to go back with the tension, will it fall apart again?"
As footage of the tour plays, Noel adds: "The songs are one thing, but I’d forgotten what he [Liam] means to people. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the intense outpouring… a sense of what it meant to people."
The preview concludes with footage of the brothers walking on stage hand in hand, as Liam Gallagher says: "We have got a chance to change the narrative of the band."
